Tamper evident reclosable package

Abstract

A tamper evident package has a first wall and a second wall facing the first wall. A zipper is provided at a top of the package. The first and second walls include portions that extend over the zipper and the first wall extension portion has a line of weakness that extends parallel to the zipper. A peel seal joins the first wall and the second wall above the interlocking members of the profiles and sections of the first and second walls extend beyond the peel seal. If the zipper has a slider, a pocket is formed in one of the walls to accommodate the slider. The slider pocket extends parallel to the zipper. Methods of forming the package on various types of form, fill and seal equipment as well as the equipment are also disclosed.

1. A method of making reclosable packaging comprising:
 providing a first longitudinally extending sheet of film material and a second longitudinally extending sheet of film material, said first sheet of film material being formed of thermoform material and said second sheet being provided separately from said first sheet; 
 forming a longitudinally extending line of weakness proximal to and spaced from a side edge of said first longitudinally extending sheet; 
 positioning said first sheet to overlie said second sheet; and 
 attaching a zipper between said sheets, said line of weakness being positioned between a line of attachment of said zipper to said first sheet and said side edge of said first sheet, said zipper having a first profile attached to said first sheet along said line of attachment and a second profile attached to said second sheet, said first and second profiles respectively having mating first and second interlocking members. 
 
     
     
       2. The method in accordance with  claim 1  comprising the further step of joining said sheets with a peel seal extending parallel to said zipper and positioned between said zipper and said first sheet side edge. 
     
     
       3. The method in accordance with  claim 2  comprising the further step of joining said sheets with a second peel seal extending parallel to said zipper and positioned on the side of said zipper opposite to said first sheet edge. 
     
     
       4. The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said zipper is provided with a slider and comprising the further step of thermoforming a slider pocket in said first sheet extending parallel to said zipper and aligned with said slider. 
     
     
       5. The method in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said slider pocket is formed coextensive in length with said zipper. 
     
     
       6. A method of making reclosable packaging comprising:
 providing a first sheet of film material and a second sheet of film material, said first sheet of film material being formed of thermoform material; 
 thermoforming a slider pocket in said first sheet of film material; 
 attaching a zipper between said sheets, said zipper having a first profile attached to said first sheet and a second profile attached to said second sheet, said first and second profiles respectively having mating first and second interlocking members and a slider disposed over said first and second interlocking members for opening and closing said zipper; and 
 positioning said zipper slider in said pocket. 
 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for making reclosable packaging comprising:
 means for providing a first longitudinally extending sheet of film material and a second longitudinally extending sheet of film material, said first sheet of film material being formed of thermoform material, said second sheet being provided separately from said first sheet; 
 means for forming a longitudinally extending line of weakness proximal to and spaced from a side edge of said first longitudinally extending sheet; 
 means for positioning said first sheet to overlie said second sheet; and 
 means for attaching a zipper between said sheets, said line of weakness being positioned between a line of attachment of said zipper to said first sheet and said side edge of said first sheet, said zipper having a first profile attached to said first sheet along said line of attachment and a second profile attached to said second sheet, said first and second profiles respectively having mating first and second interlocking members. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7  further comprising means for joining said sheets with a peel seal extending parallel to said zipper and positioned between said zipper and said first sheet side edge. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  further comprising means for joining said sheets with a second peel seal extending parallel to said zipper and positioned on the side of said zipper opposite to said first sheet edge. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said zipper is provided with a slider and further comprising means for thermoforming a slider pocket in at least one of said sheets extending parallel to said zipper and aligned with said slider.